If you are like most of people who suffer from acne, you have probably tried many different ways to get rid of your acne. You probably have bought lots of over the counter products and treatments and although your followed the directions carefully, you still haven't found a solution to cure your acne. Have you started to wonder if you have a unique case that can't be cured?
First of all; the problem is definitely not you! It is all the products and treatments that are really to blame. You can't fix a problem from the outside when it comes to skin care. You must solve the problem from the inside.
As long as you are trying to get rid of your acne from the outside, nothing is every going to change. I'm sure that some of the products you used have probably worked for a few days or even a few months, but in the end the acne came back.
The problem isn't the acne or the products you have been using. It is what is going on within your own body. So until you fix the cause of the acne you will never be able to get rid of it.
Can the Food You Eat Affect Acne?
First of all food don't actually cause acne but they can affect blood sugar, cause chronic inflammation in the body as well as oxidative stress. There are a number of foods that can aggravate these conditions and as a result can cause acne to occur. It is important to note that other conditions as well can affect acne: lack of proper sleep, polluted air and to much stress.
Can Eating Too Much Fat Cause Acne?
The answer is yes, however the reason is that it can be a problem for your blood sugar. As a result of eating fat your blood sugar levels can rise too high or even too low. This backwards and forwards in your blood sugar levels causes a cascading hormonal imbalance which causes an increase in sebum production which can block skin pores. As well having too much fat in the bloodstream means that important nutrients and oxygen don't get transported to your cells properly. This results in your skin not getting the "food" it needs and which can cause acne. In a lot of ways acne is your body trying to cleanse itself.
The foods to limit or stay away from in this category include all diary products (milk, cream, ice cream, cheese, butter, etc) as well as deep fried foods (french fries, potato chips).
Another Food to Limit or Avoid: Refined Carbohydrates!
We live in a world of fast food but eating these types of foods not only puts a strain on our digestive system but also on the quality of our skin. Eating too many refined grains and sugar can only cause our bodies to get over burdened which can result in inflammation. This inflammation shows up as acne in many cases.
It is best to stay away from too much food that is processed. Eat whole foods such as raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains and even sprouted grains if you want to eat wheat products. These foods have more fiber which helps to slow down digestion and not tax the digestive system as a whole. If you have a wheat allergy, which could be what is causing your acne, then all wheat products should be eliminated. There are other products that use rice, kamut and rye to make everything from pasta to pastries. As well you can get a number of gluten-free products available in most stores.
It is important to remember that refined foods for the most part contain almost no nutrients. The vital nutrients such as vitamins, enzymes and minerals have been stripped from the food.
What's in Your Coffee?
Unfortunately caffeine just might be another substance that causes acne. Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea (both black and green), chocolate, soft drinks and even some pain medications.
Caffeine triggers the adrenalin glands to release stress hormones, which is another cause of acne. If you are sensitive to caffeine, your sleep patterns can be interrupted, which again is another cause of acne. We need a good night's sleep so that our bodies can repair and detox.
So, if you want beautiful skin, there are somethings you can do on a daily bases to help improve it by being careful what you eat, relieving stress and getting a good night's sleep!
Five Components to Skin Care
Even people who have beautiful skin have had to work at it to get results. Celebrities and famous models didn't just get great skin without some effort. We all know you can't get something without some effort. You will get a clear, acne free complexion as a result of the amount of effort you put into taking care of your skin.
There are FIVE crucial components to an effective clear skin plan:
1. Internal and external cleansing;
2. Internal strengthening and rejuvenating;
3. Hormonal balancing;
4. Lifestyle optimization; and
5. Goal setting and motivation.
Except for those people with acne triggered by allergies to food, it's extremely difficult (if not impossible) for most people to achieve permanent clear skin in days and without some effort. But in the end, having beautiful skin and being acne free will be the reward.
What is the Best Acne Skin Care Program?
A Daily Regime
There are a number of factors that can affect the quality of a person's skin. Some relates to your lifestyle and others include the skin you inherited from your parents. Good skin just doesn't happen. It requires a daily routine of taking care and nourishing the skin.
It is important to be not only patient but consistent in your program. Skipping a day, not washing off makeup at the end of the day will not help your skin improve.
It is important to clean your skin so using a good quality cream cleanser is important. Wash your face both in the morning and in the evening, every day! I good idea is to use a light exfoliating product each day. Over the course of a couple of months you will see results due to new skin forming and deep pore cleaning.
Once you clean the skin you will want to use a toner using a cotton ball. Find a toner that has a soothing effect to the skin and stay away from any product containing alcohol as these toners will dry out the skin.
If you have pimples, use a cream with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Stopping a breakout before it happens will also help to minimize acne over time.
You can't do enough of this: moisturize. If your skin is dry or you spend a good deal of your time indoors, moisturizer will become your best friend when it comes to skin care. Use an oil free moisturizer after cleaning your skin. Also make sure it contains SPF 15 or higher to protect your skin from sun damage.
Can You Get Rid of Acne Naturally?
There is no need to buy expensive products when you can find some simple solutions in your kitchen. Using some essential oils such as chamomile essential oil, tea tree essential oil and a few other ingredients you can take good care of the skin on your face and keep acne at bay.
First, steam your face to open the pores to make the treatment more effective. You can add some lemon juice or sliced lemons to make the experience more enjoyable. Try to steam your face for about five minutes. The best way to steam is to fill the sink with hot water and then using a towel as a tent, hold your face over the sink for a period of time.
After steaming, mix together some table sugar with water add a couple of drops of tea tree oil and a couple of drops of chamomile oil. Using your hands massage the mixture into your face. Leave on just like you would with a mask for anywhere from five to fifteen minutes.
Then clean your skin using a face cloth and warm water. Don't rub but gently wipe your face with the cloth, dipping it in the water to remove the material from your face.
You can use a light toner followed by a good moisturizer for a healthy complexion.
Getting Rid of Back Acne
Back acne may be similar to other types of acne but it can also be more annoying since it can't be reached as easily as your face with your hands. Because of this there needs to be other ways to take care of the problem. Back acne is more prevalent in the early teens since that can be when the sebaceous glands are functioning too aggressively.
There is also one type of back acne, called acne mechanica which is acne that is caused by irritation of the skin. This is usually a result of clothing that is repeatedly rubbing against the skin and aggravating it while wearing backpacks or tight fitting clothing. It is also made worse by a combination of sweat and repeated rubbing. This situation can be remedied rather easily by removing the irritant and wearing looser fitting clothes or wearing clothing that can wick the perspiration away from the skin.
Other ways to help treat back acne include changing your clothes and showering more often if you tend to sweat a lot. Using anti-bacterial cleansers that are made for facial acne will also help as it is a good idea to avoid using regular soap. Also avoid using back packs or anything else that would rub against the back for long periods of time.
Don't forget to seek the advice of a dermatologist if your back acne is severe as you may need to take some medications that would require a prescription in order to alleviate the problem.
by Erebos